One million dollars. The words cut through the underground arena like a death sentence.

"Maisie! Get away from there! Please, God, get away!" Leo’s voice broke through the heavy atmosphere, desperate and tear-soaked as he finally managed to shove past a massive enforcer who had been blocking his path. Leo stumbled into the open dirt ring, his eyes wide with absolute horror, rushing toward his sister with frantic strides.

"Stay back, Mr. Doyle," a cold, clipped voice commanded.

Julian Hart hadn't moved an inch, but his right hand had risen slightly, signaling his men to halt Leo in his tracks. Two burly enforcers immediately stepped into Leo's path, crossing their thick arms like iron pillars. One of them grabbed Leo by the shoulder, shoving him back just enough to keep him from interfering.

"Let go of me! Are you insane? That dog is going to kill her!" Leo thrashed against the grip, his face crimson with panic. "Take your money! Take all of it! Just get that monster away from my sister!"

"Quiet," Julian said softly, his gaze never leaving the center of the ring. There was a strange, magnetic intensity in his dark eyes now. "Look at the dog, Mr. Doyle. And look at your sister."

Leo stopped struggling, his breath hitching in his throat as he finally forced himself to look past the enforcers at the scene unfolding before him.

Cyrus was no longer slamming his body against the steel mesh. The terrifying, frenzied aggression had vanished from the animal's posture, replaced by an intense, quivering curiosity. The German Shepherd's massive tail, previously tucked rigidly between his legs or thrashing wildly, gave a hesitant, single twitch against the metal floor of the cage. *Thud.*

Maisie didn't stand up. She knew that standing would make her loom over the animal, triggering defensive instincts. Instead, she slowly slid down until her back rested against the cool dirt, sitting cross-legged just three feet away from the rattling cage door. She reached out her right hand, palm facing upward, fingers loosely curled. She didn't push her hand toward the bars. She simply left it resting on her knee, offering an open invitation without a single string attached.

"You're tired, aren't you?" Maisie murmured softly, her blind eyes directed toward the center of the cage. "Everybody yells so much. It's too loud in here."

Cyrus let out a low, pathetic whine—a sound no one in this room had ever heard the apex predator emit. It was a broken, wounded sound, echoing the deep trauma of a creature betrayed by humanity over and over again. The dog pressed his wet nose against the very edge of the steel bars, trying to bridge the tiny gap between them.

Julian Hart took a slow step forward. He looked at the heavy brass padlock securing the cage door. The key was in his pocket. For months, that cage had been a tomb, both for the men who approached it and for the animal trapped inside. Julian pulled the heavy iron key from his tailored suit jacket, walked past Leo without a second glance, and strode toward the kennel.

"What... what are you doing?" Leo whispered, trembling.